Peace must not get bogged down in Gaza's winter mud

The recent deaths of five individuals, including three children in a tent collapse in Gaza, serve as a stark reminder that even with a ceasefire in place, ordinary life remains far from normal for Palestinians in the region. Displaced civilians, now facing the winter months and the accompanying flooding, are confronted with added threats to their survival and daily existence in makeshift dwellings. The international community must not allow this to become another season of suffering, without adequate action being taken.

Across Gaza, over 70,000 tents have been inundated, with water levels in some camps reaching up to one meter. Civil defense teams have received more than 2,100 distress calls during recent storms, but were only able to respond to 218 due to a shortage of personnel and equipment. The lack of heavy machinery, which Palestinian and humanitarian officials attribute to Israeli restrictions, has further impeded rescue efforts and the restoration of safety in damaged areas.

These conditions, while worsened by the weather, are the direct result of a ceasefire that has yet to fulfill fundamental requirements for safety and a dignified existence. In September, Nickolay Mladenov, the high representative for Gaza under the Board of Peace, had warned of the perils that another winter could bring. The unfolding events from recent days confirm the accuracy of his prediction.

However, there exists an opportunity to alter this trajectory. The political uncertainty surrounding the incoming Israeli government, coupled with indications that US President Donald Trump desires Israel to take additional steps towards implementing his Gaza peace plan, should prompt Washington to focus its attention.

President Trump played a crucial role in brokering the ceasefire, and as the overseer of the Board of Peace, he holds both the influence and responsibility to ensure the agreement evolves beyond a mere paper framework. Yet, this is not a task that should solely rest on the United States. All countries and international bodies involved in and signing the Sharm El Sheikh agreement that established the Gaza ceasefire must visibly collaborate to alleviate the human suffering gripping the Palestinian territory.

For their part, Palestinian authorities must persistently advocate for their citizens, despite the challenges they face.

Political shifts in the US and Israel may present a chance to change course. However, Washington should not presume that a change in leadership in Israel would automatically lead to a more constructive approach towards Gaza. Any successor must be evaluated based on their actions on the ground, such as improvements in humanitarian access, the lifting of restrictions on essential supplies and equipment, increased Palestinian mobility, and a credible program for reconstruction.

The potential consequences of failing to find a breakthrough are profound. As Mladenov noted in a speech at the Hili Forum in Abu Dhabi two months ago, if the Gaza peace plan fails to enter its implementation phase, a two-state solution will become "practically impossible." The prospects for future peace must not be allowed to be submerged in Gaza's winter mud.